Ashura and Imam al-Husayn in Contemporary Persian and Arabic Poems

The event of Ashura and the revolt of Imam al-Husayn were certainly significant events that caused thematic and semantic changes in Persian and Arabic literatures. However, in the present descriptive-analytical work, such a view has been influenced by the dominant political views and atmospheres, leading to a sway in the poet's viewpoints. Hence, Persian and Arab poet's attention to the individual and social character of Imam al-Husayn deserve special attention. Likewise, their recounting and narrations signify the melancholic and epic aspects of this event in both languages. This is indicative of a tragic interpretation of Ashura in contrast to that of a revival revolution. Beyond these common points, there are also some differences, e.g., Arab poet's tendency to the lineage of Imam al-Husayn and praising him. The type of characteristics Arab poets highlight for Imam al-Husayn indicate that they seek a role model for their political struggles. On the other hand, the presence of the religious leaders in the Iranian constitutional movement and after that caused relatively less attention to Imam al-Husayn for a political end. In contrast, Ashura was looked up to as a model for the Islamic revolution of Iran, leading to venerating Imam Khomeini as a portrait of Imam al-Husayn. In effect of this view, Ashura, that was formerly a cause for shedding tears, has come to be viewed as an epic.